The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau probing the alleged irregularities in the taking over of 32 cents of land owned by Seematti Textiles for the Kochi metro rail project has given a clean chit to Ernakulam District Collector M.G. Rajamanickam.
A quick verification report submitted by P.V. Chacko, Superintendent of Police, VACB, to the Muvattupuzha Vigilance Court has termed a complaint on the issue as premature and recommended no further action against the official and the land owners. It, however, said that to protect the interest of Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL), the government should examine the agreement to avoid any future loss.
According to the report, the probe did not find any mala fide intention on the part of the Collector. The official had no option but to take over the land by including the clauses as demanded by the land owner.
ADVERTISEMENT
Clause 7 of the agreement clearly stated that no restriction could be imposed on the KMRL for using the property for metro-related activities. The right to get higher compensation would be decided by a civil court.
The Collector made this agreement on the basis of the provisions of a government order that an agreement be signed with the land owner that further compensation eligible to them would be paid only after framing rules under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act 2013. Before signing the pact, the Collector had obtained legal opinion from the District Government Pleader and it said there was no illegality in signing the agreement since the new Act came into force on January 1, 2014.